7thAnnual Chicago-area Shiba Picnic

June 12, 2004 @ Evans Field

Hanging Out
 

Demonstrations

Romping

Lunch is Served
 

The Rescue Parade

Group Picture

Awards and Contests

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The 7th Annual Chicago-area Shiba Picnic was, undoubtedly, a success!  This year, we doubled in size, final count: ~150 people, 92 Shibas, 2 Jindos, and a few other breeds (Beagle, Dalmatian, Chow mixes, and even some mutts!) in July of 2003. Neat trivia fact: ~30% of the Shibas (and 1 Jindo) were MSIR alums!

This year was the second year the picnic was hosted at Evans Field, a Cook County Forest Preserve located near North and Thatcher Avenues in Elmwood Park, IL, just west of the city. The location provided much-appreciated shade, sun, and space (not that our little sweet Shibas need that!) plus lots of picnic tables and a shelter. New this year was a 100' x 100' fenced ring, which was used for the agility demonstration and later, a general "free-for-all" for those Shibas wanting to romp with supervision.

MSIR volunteers got there early, about 8am, and with plenty of help, were ready for the 10:30am start time.  They moved picnic tables, stapled red plastic tablecloths onto the tables, arranged the just-recently completed MSIR auction items that were being picked up, readied the registration table, flagged the Shiba potty area, set up the agility ring and agility obstacles, and presented the raffle items. Hammering in "The Picnic is Here!" signs was the final duty and then we were off!

Even with the high humidity and (ugh) VERY pesky mosquitoes, most Shibas and their human pals had a good time.

Hanging out:

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The first part of the picnic was a general Check-in and "Meet-N-Greet" for new and old friends.

Demonstrations:

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Jane and Greg Clark, with help from Bobbie their Shiba, gave a demonstration of the Canine Good Citizen (CGC), then signed up dogs for the CGC test in the afternoon.  

Results: Five dogs earned their CGC! Congratulations!

Cassie (Dalmatian) - Handler Holli Levine

Katy (Shiba) - Handler Joanne Fitzgerald

Midorye (Shiba) - Handler Mary Homen

Mishu (Shiba & MSIR alum) - Handler Courtney Simon

Rico (Shiba & MSIR alum) - Handler Amanda Putnam
 

With her Koshou, who is now competing in Excellent Standard, Mary Engstrom demonstrated how a Shiba can be successful in the agility ring. Then other Shibas got to try their paws at it!

Rick Sanders also helped make sure Shibas always had identification by inserting microchips.

Ouch!

Once the demos were completed, some Shibas romped in the ring:

Lunch is served:

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This year, many picnic-goers (and some drooling Shibas!) opted to partake of the catered fried chicken entree, plus several people shared yummy desserts.

The Rescue Parade!

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After lunch, there was a parade of available rescue dogs.

Six MSIR Shibas in foster care found their forever home at the picnic! Lucy is the new sister to another Shiba boy, Koodo met his new human boy, Emiko met her new family, Jazz became the new little sister of two MSIR alums, Soji became the new sister to a male MSIR alum, and Boku's foster parents realized after several people inquired about him that they just couldn't give him up so officially added him to their pack! Great job everyone!

MSIR rescue dogs still in need of homes:

			NEW pictures coming soon!
Cheeto	Andre	Missy Moon	Duchess Info coming soon!	Mort Info coming soon!

Group Picture!

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New this year was something we hope will become a tradition:  the-how-many-Shibas-can-you-count-group-picture!

(Can you even imagine how difficult it is to pose 150 people and 94 dogs?!!)

Check out MJ's Cherry and Josei in their perfect off-leash stays in front (don't try this at home, kids) . . .

Awards and Contests!

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Tallest Shiba: At 19", Laura's MSIR alum Oscar defends his title for the second year!

  Smallest Adult Shiba:   Youngest Shiba:  

Oldest Shiba: 

There was some serious competition this year, but at 13 and some "change,"

Monica's Rudy beat out Mike's Mikado by ~6 months:

Longest Journey:  

Treat-catching competition: Jim's Kazmo wins!

Best Trick Contest:

MSIR alum Rico won Best Trick by showing off his "BANG! (you're dead)" trick:

After displaying the MOST Tricks, Harrison and MSIR alum Banzai won the contest:

Shiba TWINS contest (everyone had to find their Shiba's "twin"):

Longest Gaze Contest: Winner! Tightest Tail: Highest Jumper: MSIR alum Diego wins!

Shiba 500 Relay

Thank you to all who registered and paid early, helped set up, brought desserts, led or took part in the demonstrations and contests, announced or walked the foster dogs in the rescue parade, sold (or bought) raffle tickets, took pictures, donated raffle prizes, or helped take down everything at the end of the day.

(whew!)

We couldn't have done it without you!

We're trying to make it even better next year--if you'd like to help do that, email Kris!

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